Gun violence survivors protest outside Newtown-area Walmart

Gun violence survivors joined dozens of Walmart customers to demand the retail giant honor a 2004 pledge and stop the sale of assault weapons and ammunition in their stores nationwide.

"We're here to represent the survivors of gun violence," the protesters shouted.

Gun violence survivors, consumer watchdogs and concerned Americans rallied outside the Walmart in Danbury and delivered a letter from survivors asking Walmart to honor the pledge.

"Members of the SumOfUs.org community are demanding that the nation's largest gun retailer stop breaking its 2004 promise to end the sales of assault weapons," said Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, executive director of SumOfus.org. "If Walmart wants to call itself a family-friendly store, it needs to stop profiting off dangerous weapons designed to kill large numbers of people. Walmart has an opportunity to help put an end to these tragedies, and we demand that it join us in saying enough."

The gun violence survivors and advocates presented 300,000 signatures from all over the world to the store manager in Danbury. According to SumOfUs.org, the petition demands the company stop selling assault weapons and put people over profits.

"As an elementary school teacher, I am obligated to keep my students safe from harm," said fourth-grade teacher Lauren Buglino, who launched her petition on Change.org. "I want to see gun violence end, and a step in a positive direction would be for Walmart, the nation's largest gun retailer, to stop selling assault weapons completely."

The manager, who is a life-long resident of Newtown, accepted the box of signatures, which had a green ribbon on it for Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Walmart spokesman Kory Lundberg said, "Walmart currently limits the sales of (modern sporting rifles) to less than one-third of our stores, in addition to a number of other steps we take regarding the sale of firearms.

Lundberg went on to say, "We certainly understand there are a lot of thoughts on this issue on striking the right balance between serving our customers who are huntsmen and sportsmen."

A Walmart in Danbury, where a protest was held Tuesday morning, only sells ammunition and BB guns, but not assault rifles.

Protest organizers told Eyewitness News they knew that. However, they still thought the Danbury location would make a better point than protesting in Arkansas where the Walmarts do sell guns.

One of those people in attendance was Lori Haas, whose daughter was shot while she was attending Virginia Tech about five and half years ago.

"She was one of the survivors, so we're one of the lucky families," Haas said.

Haas told Eyewitness News that she is on a mission to help families that were not as lucky and that mission brought her to Danbury in an effort to support the families of the Newtown school shooting.

"Walmart is a responsible retailer, we understand that," she said. "But, we need these weapons off their shelves. They have no place in our communities and in our neighborhoods."

On Dec. 14, Adam Lanza, 20, shot and killed his mother as she slept in her bed. He then traveled the few miles to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he proceeded to shoot out a security window, make his way into the building and kill 20 children and six adults.

Pam Simon was shot more than two years ago in Tucson - while working on the staff of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She would like to see other Walmarts stop selling assault style rifles during the protest.

"Over half of the survivors of Jan. 8 are gun owners, and believe me, have the right to bear arms," Simon said. "I certainly believe that as well. But, I don't believe there is a reason to carry military-style assault weapons around."

Darren Wagner and his family moved to Newtown five years ago from Australia and they said to what they believed to be one of the safest towns in New England.

"It's just a tragic event and we're a small community," he said. "We shouldn't be worrying about our elementary schools."

After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, Wagner's wife and his two teenage sons joined other people from Newtown at the Walmart in Danbury. Wagner said he felt they had to speak out.

"I don't want ammunition sold out of this store just a few aisles down from the school supplies," he said.

An open house is being held at the repurposed school for students who attended Sandy Hook Elementary School. Students and their families will have a chance to visit the Chalk Hill School in neighboringMore >

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says President Barack Obama's reference in his inauguration speech to the murders of 20 children and six educators in Newtown could spur changes in federal gun law. BlumenthalMore >

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says President Barack Obama's reference in his inauguration speech to the murders of 20 children and six educators in Newtown could spur changes in federal gun law.More >

Newtown's police commissioners want Connecticut law changed so officers and others who responded to last month's deadly school shooting are covered by workers' compensation. A resolution passed TuesdayMore >

Newtown's police commissioners want Connecticut law changed so officers and others who responded to last month's deadly school shooting are covered by workers' compensation.More >

Classes are starting Thursday at a repurposed school for students who survived a shooting rampage three weeks ago in Newtown. Desks have been taken to the new building in nearby Monroe along with backpacksMore >

Classes are starting Thursday at a repurposed school for students who survived a shooting rampage three weeks ago in Newtown.More >

Victor Cruz hopes meeting with the family of a 6-year-old boy killed in the Connecticut school shootings has helped them cope with the tragedy. The New York Giants receiver on Wednesday somberly recountedMore >

Victor Cruz hopes meeting with the family of a 6-year-old boy killed in the Connecticut school shootings has helped them cope with the tragedy.More >

The family of Noah Pozner was mourning their 6-year-old who was killed in the Newtown school massacre when their sorrow was compounded by outrage. Someone they didn't know was soliciting donations inMore >

The family of Noah Pozner was mourning their 6-year-old who was killed in the Newtown school massacre when their sorrow was compounded by outrage.More >

Spurred by a horrific elementary school shooting, President Barack Obama tasked his administration Wednesday with creating concrete proposals to reduce gun violence that has plagued the country. "ThisMore >

Spurred by a horrific elementary school shooting, President Barack Obama tasked his administration Wednesday with creating concrete proposals to reduce gun violence that has plagued the country.More >

The Newtown shooting has put a new focus on Aspergers Syndrome, which is a disorder family and friends of Adam Lanza said he suffered from. However, doctors treating patients with Aspergers are speakingMore >

The Newtown shooting has put a new focus on Aspergers Syndrome, which is a disorder family and friends of Adam Lanza said he suffered from.More >

The White House says the mother of a Newtown shooting victim will deliver the weekly presidential radio and Internet address. President Barack Obama typically gives the talk, focusing on a topic that'sMore >

The White House says the mother of a Newtown shooting victim will deliver the weekly presidential radio and Internet address. President Barack Obama typically gives the talk, focusing on a topic that'sMore >

Connecticut gun manufacturers will be paying close attention to what's happening at the State Capitol in Hartford in the coming days including Stag Arms, which is based in New Britain. Eyewitness NewsMore >

Connecticut gun manufacturers will be paying close attention to what's happening at the state Capitol in Hartford in the coming days, including Stag Arms, which is based in New Britain.More >

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's two U.S. senators are forwarding a package of recommendations to Vice President Joe Biden, who is chairing a task force on policy changes in the wake of the deadlyMore >

Connecticut's two U.S. senators are forwarding a package of recommendations to Vice President Joe Biden, who is chairing a task force on policy changes in the wake of the deadly Newtown school shooting.More >